The Washington Redskins had a nine-day layoff between games after playing on “Thursday Night Football” last week. Not too much has happened since then — just the star left tackle ending his holdout and the rookie quarterback being named the starter for the first time.
Yes, there’s plenty of intrigue around the Redskins again this week. Here’s what to watch for when they play in Week 9:
Opponent: Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Where: New Era Field, Orchard Park, N.Y.
When: Sunday, Nov. 4, 1 p.m.
Television: Fox
Radio: The Team 980, ESPN 630AM
What to watch for:
• It’s Dwayne Haskins time. The first-round draft pick will make his first career start after Case Keenum was ruled out with a concussion he suffered in Week 8. Haskins filled in for the second half of that game and only went 3-for-5 for 33 yards with an interception and two sacks. But he received first-team reps this week in Ashburn while Keenum was limited in practice. “It’s been a process all week,” offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell said. “He’s really, really embraced all the challenges we’ve tried to throw at him Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, to make Sunday that much easier because we’re playing a really good football team and he’s had a good week of practice.”
• Don’t expect Trent Williams to play, even though he reported to the Redskins this week for the first time in 2019. He failed his physical when he reported “discomfort” from trying on his helmet and was given a roster exemption, meaning he isn’t on the 53-man roster. Williams revealed Thursday that he had a cancer scare related to the tumor he needed removed from his skull. Multiple reports indicated that despite reporting, Williams doesn’t intend to play at all this year. Maybe he’ll be on the sideline, rooting on his teammates.
• Bills quarterback Josh Allen isn’t having a Lamar Jackson-type year, but compared to the other quarterbacks taken at the top of the 2018 draft class — Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen — Allen isn’t doing too bad for himself. During his solid sophomore season, the Bills have jumped out to a 5-2 record. Callahan called Allen “a young Cam Newton” this week; he has thrown for 1,493 yards and nine touchdowns but also rushed for 235 yards and three scores.
Pre-game reading:
Dwayne Haskins to make first NFL start Sunday for #Redskins vs. Bills, by @Matthew_Paras https://t.co/8PKWBigXXO
— WashTimes Sports (@WashTimesSports) November 1, 2019
The lowly Jets rival the #Redskins in terms of first-rate dysfunction, @DeronSnyder writes. https://t.co/xuymEaGbfI
— WashTimes Sports (@WashTimesSports) October 31, 2019
Trent Williams reports to #Redskins after not being traded at the deadline, by @Matthew_Paras https://t.co/hnYc1SaN29
— WashTimes Sports (@WashTimesSports) October 30, 2019
Trent Williams reveals cancer scare, says he has no faith in #Redskins, by @Matthew_Paras https://t.co/FRU794vS70
— WashTimes Sports (@WashTimesSports) November 1, 2019
The #Redskins responded to Trent Williams by requesting a joint committee independently look into records of his medical care https://t.co/YLGwKxB44S
— WashTimes Sports (@WashTimesSports) November 1, 2019
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